Recknagel Earns Big West Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week Honors

Benjamin Recknagel (Photo by Tony Mastres)

Apr 10, 2013

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Senior Benjamin Recknagel was named as Big West Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week on Wednesday after going undefeated in both doubles and singles to help the Gauchos split their weekend matches against Big West opponents, UC Riverside and UC Irvine.

Recknagel won both of his matches in straight sets at the No. 2 position, defeating Luis Gastao of UC Riverside 6-3, 6-3 in the Gauchos' 6-1 triumph over the Highlanders and beat UC Irvine's Tyler Pham 6-2, 6-2 to gain one of UCSB's two points in their 5-2 loss to the Anteaters on Sunday.

The senior also partnered last week's Big West Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week, sophomore Axel Bouillin, to two wins in doubles at court 2. The Gaucho duo recorded an 8-4 victory against UC Riverside's Griffin/Ruffin to help the Gauchos clinch the doubles point. UCSB's No. 2 pair edged Pham/Jung of UC Irvine 8-7(12) in the tiebreaker, though the Gauchos were unable to claim the doubles point.

Recknagel has won his past three singles matches, improving his record to 10-7 in singles matches on the dual season and is 8-6 in doubles matches.

The Gauchos will be back in action on Thursday to take on the #43 University of Oregon at the Rec Cen Courts, beginning at 2:00 PM (PST).